We learned after practice on Thursday that the Cavaliers have been "vibing."

Cavs guard Dion Waiters also said he trash talks with teammate Kyrie Irving about everything, including whether "it's raining or snowing," he said.

He also wouldn't mind if he goes against Irving in the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star weekend in Houston.

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"It doesn't matter," Waiters said. "We trash talk all the time in practice. If I'm on the opposite team, he knows I'm still going to stick him. I stick him in practice."

The Cavs' starting backcourt is building camaraderie and could be a major asset going forward. For the first time in his career, Waiters is learning how to play off the ball. Throughout high school, AAU and college, coaches put the ball in his hands.

Irving is the man in Cleveland and is quickly evolving into one of the top point guards in the league. He could be the top point guard in the Eastern Conference right now.

"I pick his brain all the time," Waiters said. "We're communicating."

It's just one aspect that's helped the upstart Cavs (15-34) turn the corner. They are 10-11 in their last 21 games since Dec. 22. In their last nine games since Jan. 16, they are 6-3.

"We're winning, and I'm just happy to be a part of it," Waiters said. "It's a great feeling to be winning.

"We're sharing the ball. We're 'vibing' out there. We have each others' backs out there. It's a great atmosphere right now."

The 6-foot-4, 221-pounder was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2012 draft. One local radio personality said this week that Waiters has been a "bust."

That's anything but the case.

Waiters continues to lead all East rookies in scoring (14.3), assists (3.2) and steals (1.1). He has some rough spots to smooth over, but the Syracuse product has been anything but a bust.

"Really, in the last two to four weeks, he's really starting to grow just from a maturity standpoint," Cavs coach Byron Scott said. "(He's) really starting to understand what being a pro's all about. He's playing with a lot more confidence right now. He's understands what his role is, even as a starter."

He's started the last seven games since Jan. 22. The Cavs are 5-2.

"When I was bringing him off the bench, it was just basically, I need you to be aggressive and score," Scott said. "Right now he's sharing the ball, getting to the basket and making some good decisions. I think right now he's really starting to grow and, hopefully, he can continue to play this way for the rest of the season."

Regardless of what he says, Waiters was perturbed about coming off the bench. Now that he's in the starting lineup, his world is right once again.

"He's being a basketball player," Scott said. "Right now he's in a good place. I'm pretty happy with where he is. In March he'll be even better. That's the progression with him, each month to continue to get better."

The 21-year-old Waiters had 19 points and five assists on Tuesday in the blowout win over Charlotte. They host Orlando at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Quicken Loans Arena. They are now 2-0 on their season-high seven-game homestand.

"We have to use this," he said. "We've been on the road so much. We're winning. We have to keep it up. It's a great feeling."

Waiters said the players are starting to trust each other.

"It's easier said than done," he said. "You can easily say, 'I trust him and I have his back.' We're seeing it. When we mess up on the defensive end, another guy has (your) back."